2023 Shield Ranch Foundation Impact Report

WE ARE A TEAM DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING AND GROWING YOUR BUSINESS.

IMPACT REPORT 2023

SHIELD RANCH FOUNDATION AT A GLANCE Shield Ranch Barton Creek is a 6,400-acre protected wildland comprising 10% of the Barton Creek watershed.

It is in a rapidly growing region just 18 miles from downtown Austin. The Shield Ranch Foundation was established in 2008 with the mission to steward and share the Ranch in ways that educate, inspire, and transform. In fall 2022, the Campsite at Shield Ranch opened to provide award-winning facilities for Camp El Ranchito, a scholarship-based overnight camp; host community groups for both day and overnight use and offer immersive nature programs for all ages. The foundation stewards 131 acres, which are sustainably managed for the benefit of people and nature.

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Dear friends, The Campsite at Shield Ranch embodies years of planning by the Shield-Ayres-Bowen family, dedicated staff, a team of designers, long-time campers, and community partners. Since opening to the community, thoughtfulness has flowered from ideas to impact. There are many firsts to highlight among these new seasons: welcoming community, connecting with the natural world, and modeling conservation. I am grateful to all who contributed to our growth and celebrate these collective successes in our first impact report.

Since the initial opening in fall 2022, we welcomed almost 50 community groups for retreats, programming, and environmental education. More than half of those groups accessed nonprofit rates made possible thanks to community generosity. With a strong desire to get outside and connect, approximately 2,000 people of all ages were inspired, educated, and transformed by their experiences at the Campsite at Shield Ranch.

Camp El Ranchito expanded year-round programming at its new Campsite home for 190 participants, with the first Outdoor Girl Spring Break Camp, added summer camp sessions, and a Fall Reconnect family gathering. The protected wildlands and creeks constantly provided discoveries, while the thoughtfully designed facilities offered relief from challenging weather in the way of shade, shelter, and prevailing breezes. Our new Campsite Education Director stepped into leadership supported by a seasonal staff, half of whom were former campers. New seasonal events integrating nature, creativity, and wellness increased access for individuals of all ages.

Designed as a learning model, the sustainable Campsite operations put conservation goals into action. All guests learned about the all-rainwater, all-solar facilities, and El Ranchito campers exceeded water conservation models during their summer use. Twenty-eight groups toured the Campsite facilities, and the designers and builders earned award recognition for these innovations in sustainable design.

Community support helped us grow our capacity to serve our mission. With the generosity of 182 donors, we completed the $14.3 million Abiding Campaign for the Campsite at Shield Ranch in summer 2023. Sustaining support from the new Wild for Good Circle helps provide El Ranchito scholarships, nonprofit subsidized Campsite rates, and preserve and increase access to Shield Ranch. Volunteers grew our capacity to welcome community thanks to their participation in the new kitchen, conservation projects, and camp opportunities.

The future of the Shield Ranch Foundation is bright as we continue to grow our audience and impacts, reduce barriers to participation, and help people reconnect with themselves, nature, and each other in natural spaces. We hope you’ll join us.

Andrea Mellard Executive Director, Shield Ranch Foundation

YOUR IMPACT

36 21 24 In 2023, the Campsite welcomed:

1,754

community groups (including nonprofits, businesses, schools, and churches)

people including

675 youth

nonprofit groups gained access through our Wild for Good pricing

tours

Campsite Sustainable Systems

gallons

electric cars

6.43

15.7

homes per year

12

average day-use guest usage per day

90

gallons

total capture for 2023

gallons

end-of-year storage level

average overnight guest usage per 24 hours

average camper usage per day

gallons

or

60k 120k gallons

14.3 4.5

Rainwater Collection and Usage gallons

In 2023, 48,286 kilowatt-hours of renewable energy were produced. On average, this amount of solar energy could power:

compared with the average water usage in Texas per person per day

YOUR IMPACT

57% 22 121 Camp El Ranchito

Summer Campers (grades 4-12)

increase in summer campers from 2022

30 86% 310 of campers were eligible for scholarships

Conservation Corps (CC) teens each spent hours outdoors

New Outdoor Girl Spring Break Campers

91 144

Nature Discovery Campers (NDC) each spent

40 91 121 143 Camp Gear Gifted

pairs of hiking boots

swim shirts and swim shoes

hours outdoors

NDC camper backpacks and water bottles flashlights, whistles, compasses, bandanas, and journals

2022-2023 HIGHLIGHTS The Campsite at Shield Ranch celebrates its grand opening September 24, 2022.

The first El Ranchito Outdoor Girl Spring Break Camp begins in March 2023.

An overnight Creative Nature Retreat in Oct. 2023, led by creative coach Natalie Davis with singer/songwriter Jillette Johnson, and Shield Ranch Foundation program director Justine Kies, offers participants a connection to creative self, community, and inspiration from nature.

Camp El Ranchito hosts its first summer camps at the new facilities during 2023.

2022-2023 HIGHLIGHTS Sold out Evergreen Winter Warm-up event offers 100+ guests a botanical-inspired celebration of seasonal flavors, crafts, music, and activities in December 2023.

Mighty Coconut, an Austin-based entertainment studio specializing in virtual reality games, was one of the almost 50 community groups that chose to gather at the Campsite. By selecting the Campsite for your next corporate retreat or team building, you help provide Wild for Good pricing for non-profit organizations.

2023 Fall Reconnect offered El Ranchito campers and their families an opportunity to explore the Campsite and reconnect with fellow campers.

AWARD RECOGNITIONS 2022 Sustainable SITES Initiative Gold Certified 2022 Austin Green Awards 2022 Austin AGC Outstanding Construction Award 2023 Quiet Conservation Area Award 2023 Graphis Silver Design Award 2023 ULI Impact Awards Projects finalist in the categories of Design and Innovation 2023 Best of Design Award for CommercialHospitality, The Architect’s Newspaper

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES GUIDING OUR WORK Steward sustainable operations and land management

Welcome increased public access, especially for groups facing barriers

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES GUIDING OUR WORK Connect people with nature and community

Protect a wild space near a rapidly growing urban area

FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT We are grateful for community support in launching our first year of operations in the innovative new Campsite at Shield Ranch.

Revenue Individual donors 68% Grants 26.5% Earned revenue 4% Other 1.5%

Expenses Program 67.2% Administrative 22.4% Fundraising 10.4%

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED • Join our Wild for Good Circle supporters’ group with a monthly or annual gift.

• Donate to support outdoor programming for El Ranchito campers and Campsite community groups who otherwise may not have access.

• Celebrate by commemorating a birthday or special occasion by inviting friends and family to give to the Shield Ranch Foundation.

• Volunteer in the Campsite kitchen with Chef Addie, serve on a conservation project or help with camp preparation.

• Connect by following us on social media or signing up for our e-newsletter.

• Partner or sponsor a foundation event.

• Host your next corporate or nonprofit meeting or retreat at the Campsite.

• Leave a legacy with planned giving.

THANK YOU 2023 SUPPORTERS Malú Alvarez 

Hale Family Fund 

Natalie Amoroso 

Kathie & Dick Hanson 

Andersson/Wise Architects 

The Harry E. and Eda L. Montandon Charitable Trust 

Applied Materials Foundation  Associated General Contractors Austin Chapter  Margaret & Robert Ayres  Patricia Shield Ayres  Susan Benz  Michelle Bryant  Dan Bullock & Annette Carlozzi  Elizabeth Cangemi  Elizabeth Chiles  Yoobin Choi  George & Mary Elizabeth Cofer  Larry & Fran Collmann  Jim Coupal  Joel & Trudy Cunningham  Lisa Dirks  ECG Foundation  Fayruz Benyousef Consulting  Georgia B. Lucas Grant Fund  Dale & Nancy Grimes  The Haggerty Family Foundation 

H-E-B Tournament of Champions Charitable Trust  Clarke & Catherine Heidrick  Jane Hervey  Sam Householder & Molly Stevens  Lindsay Hutchens  Ivey Kaiser  Jody Karr  Randy & Julie Kies  James & Leighton Krips  Kathleen Loughlin  Gene & Linda Lowenthal  Neal Lulofs  John Mackey & Deborah Morin  Lucas & Christina Martell  Mattsson Ranch  Ann McNair  Laura Mcquary  Andrea & Jason Mellard  Mary & Jason Mendiola 

THANK YOU 2023 SUPPORTERS Palmer Moe 

MJ Strickland 

David & Anne Morley 

Susan Vaughan Foundation 

Jack & Jill Nokes 

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 

Duncan & Elizabeth Osborne 

David & Wendy Todd 

Philip Overbaugh 

Paul & Jennifer Vickery 

Nell Penridge 

Robby & Debbie Vickery 

Cindy Raab 

Elizabeth & Cliff Waller 

Gail Reid 

Jennifer Vickers & E. Lee Walker 

Meredith Reid 

Bob & Jean Warneke 

Martha Rhodes 

Thressa Webb 

John & Virginia Rogan 

Webber Family Foundation 

David & Deborah Butt Rogers 

Whole Earth Provision Company 

Alex & Ginny Rouch 

Peggy & Matt Winkler & Family 

Dan & Caroline Schaefer 

Greg Wooldridge & Lynne Dobson 

Pete & Frances Schenkkan 

Roberta Wright 

Stephen & Jennifer Shang 

Barbara Yoder 

Catherine Siever  Cristina Silingardi  Ernest & Paula Smith 

Legend

Snead Family Foundation 

 El Ranchito

Spicewood Ranch/Chris Harte 

 Wild for Good Circle

Maggie & Buddy Steele 

 Unrestricted

Sandy Stone 

 Foundation Grant

THANK YOU CAMPAIGN SUPPORTERS Abiding Comprehensive Campaign for the Campsite at Shield Ranch 2019-2023

Thanks to an additional one hundred and thirty generous donors who each gave up to $2,499.

TRANSFORM $1M- $5M

Patricia Shield Ayres in Memory of Vera & Fred Shield and Robert M. Ayres, Jr. Howard E. Butt, Jr. Family Shield-Ayres Foundation

INSPIRE

$500,000-$999,999 Still Water Foundation

THANK YOU CAMPAIGN SUPPORTERS EXPLORE

$100,000-$499,999 Laura & Scott F. Anderson Arcadia Charitable Trust Margaret & Robert Ayres Vera Ayres Bowen The Burdine Johnson Foundation In Memory of Nancy & Charles E. Cheever, Jr. Fondren Family Foundation The Harry E. & Eda L. Montandon Charitable Trust Jordan Family Foundation

Louis H. & Mary Patricia Stumberg Foundation Nelson Puett Foundation Lisa & Desi Rhoden David & Deborah Butt Rogers Susan Vaughan Foundation Judy & Tom Taylor in Memory of Carla Marshall Tejemos Foundation Tres Grace Family Foundation Winn Family Foundation

STEWARD

$50,000-$99,999 Jacob & Terese Hershey Foundation

Sharoll & Bryan Sheffield

Tory & Karen Meyer

Eric & Keri Stumberg in Honor of Mary Patricia Stumberg

Pat & Tom Frost Foundation with the Frost Bank Charitable Foundation Pinnergy Powell Foundation

Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Elizabeth & Cliff Waller

THANK YOU CAMPAIGN SUPPORTERS NURTURE

$10,000-$49,999 Alice Kleberg Reynolds Foundation

Lola Wright Foundation

Alvarez Family

L-X Ranch Foundation

Anonymous

The Malcolm C. Damuth Foundation

Applied Materials Foundation

The McLean Family

The Benyousef & Ben-Musa Family/FBC

Mesquite Commercial, LLC

Big State Electric, LTD.

Bill & Camille Miller in Honor of Pat Ayres

The Family of Ginger & Michael Blair

Blake & April Murden

Broadway Bank

Personal Administrators

Butler

Lana & Robert Potts

Butler Snow Foundation

The Prentice Foundation

Dalgleish Construction

Rosie Scoular

Chema Domenech & Elizabeth Ayres Domenech

Henley Sims & David Honeycutt

Drenner Group

Paula & Ernest Smith in Honor of Carter Smith

Georgia B. Lucas Grant Fund

Terri & Tim Van Ackeren

The Greiner Family

Warren Skaaren Charitable Trust

Kathie & Dick Hanson

Webber Family Foundation

Spicewood Ranch, Chris & Will Harte

Ted & Melba Whatley

H-E-B Tournament of Champions Charitable Trust

Dee Dee & Gregg Wilson

Hill & Wilkinson

Peggy & Matt Winkler & Family

THANK YOU CAMPAIGN SUPPORTERS BRIDGE

$2,500-$9,999 Andersson/Wise Architects Anonymous Anne Schweppe Ashmun in Memory of Laura Randall Schweppe & Henry Irving Schweppe, Jr. Asterisk Bowen & Pedernales Austin Kathleen Ayres Marian Bell in Memory of Nancy Bell McAllister Susan Benz Madison & Marshall Bowen Margaret & Gentry Bowen Anne Brockenbrough Mary E. Candee & Jeffrey R. Weigel Michael Chesser Fran & Larry Collmann ECG Foundation James & Ashlee Elledge in Memory of Nancy McAllister

Nancy & Dale Grimes in Memory of Robert M. Ayres, Jr. Lacy H. Hunt Jackson & McElhaney Architects Julie & Randy Kies The Langmore Family Shannon & Terry McDaniel Andrea & Jason Mellard Palmer Moe Shannon Murphy & Leslie Sachanowicz MariBen Ramsey & Karen Kahan John & Virginia Rogan Nancy Scanlan Dan & Caroline Schaefer Stacy & Carter Smith Maggie & Buddy Steele Molly Stevens & Sam Householder Ten Eyck Landscape Architects Travis Audubon

Lucy & Bill Farland

Debra & Robby Vickery

Simone Talma Flowers

Jill & Sim Whatley Charity Trust

Betty & Pete Golde

SHIELDRANCH.COM

WE ARE A TEAM DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING AND GROWING YOUR BUSINESS.

Cover photo: Sandy Carson Contributing photography: Sandy Carson Brian Fitzsimmons Leonid Furmansky Jonathan Vail